Government of Newfoundland News

Applications for the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program are open from February 3 until March 15, 2025.

The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program aims to help farmers and producers adopt beneficial land use and management practices that will increase the environmental resiliency of farms. Initiatives include maintaining and providing healthy soil and water resources, enhancing wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Applications and a program guide for 2025-26 are available on the department’s website. In 2023-24, nearly $709,000 was provided to support 17 projects through the program.

Funding for the program is provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5 billion agreement between the Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food, and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities, and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared, funded 60 per cent by the federal government and 40 per cent by provincial/territorial governments, for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will be available to the media tomorrow (Monday, February 3) to discuss Newfoundland and Labrador’s response to United States tariffs on Canadian products entering the American market.

The availability will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the NLC store in Howley Estates, 10 Elizabeth Avenue in St. John’s.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, and Bruce Keating, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation.

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The enclosed is a statement from the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

“Today, I join Canadians across the country condemning the tariffs introduced by the United States on Canadian products entering the American market. The United States is Canada’s oldest friend, and closest business partner, and these tariffs are very troubling.

In this time of crisis, we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder by those impacted as a united Team Canada. We expect the Government of Canada to action a comprehensive approach to help impacted businesses, workers, and support and service sectors. We are also working on a variety of initiatives including helping identify new markets for Newfoundland and Labrador businesses, as well as opportunities to diversify their supply chains.

Now, more than ever, I encourage residents to think local when shopping. Look to see if a product is made in Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador and buy a product at a retailer in your community or neighbourhood either in-person or via their own websites. There are a lot of substitutes for the American products that we consume.

Our support for businesses stands strong. Together, we will navigate through this challenging situation.

God guard thee Newfoundland and Labrador.”

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Today, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced funding for transportation initiatives in the St. Anthony area and Corner Brook.

While speaking at an event in St. Anthony, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundlandand Labrador, announced $45,000 to SABRI (St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.) Transit for a bus pass pilot program. SABRI focuses on social innovation and economic development on the Northern Peninsula, and a fixed-route transit system serving St. Anthony and surrounding communities is one of their operations. Premier Furey was joined by MHA for the District of St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows, the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell Minister of Education.

Also today, in Corner Brook, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and MHA for the District of Corner Brook, was joined by His Worship Jim Parsons, Mayor of Corner Brook, to announce $120,000 in funding for a bus pass pilot for Corner Brook.

The funding announced today will allow SABRI and the City of Corner Brook to provide free monthly bus passes to people living in low income. Both initiatives will begin in April. Passes will be available to people receiving Income Support, youth receiving Youth Services from the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, and Seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

In 2020 in St. John’s, the province began a successful pilot to provide free Metrobus passes for Income Support recipients. This was expanded in 2021 to include Seniors who receive the GIS and Youth Services Program clients.

Youth receiving services from Youth Services Program will receive a free bus pass through their regular, ongoing contact with their Children, Seniors and Social Development social worker.

Starting in April, seniors receiving Guaranteed Income Supplement can contact SABRI in St. Anthony and the City of Corner Brook on how to receive their bus pass. People receiving Income Support will be contacted by the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development with instructions on how to obtain their free bus passes.

Quotes
“As a government, we recognize that access to affordable transportation is at the heart of creating strong and healthy communities. The bus pass pilot program will help improve the well-being of residents by allowing greater mobility, access to affordable goods and services and opportunities for community participation and recreation.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Access to transportation allows people to enjoy more choice, more self-reliance, and have increased independence. We are grateful for the leadership and support of the City of Corner Brook and the SABRI in making these initiatives possible.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

“Today, our government is extremely pleased to support those who are taking progressive action for affordable transportation that is helping low-income residents in Corner Brook and St. Anthony to more actively participate in their communities. Investing in accessible transportation is not only assisting individuals, it is supporting our local businesses, as well as our many service, education, health and cultural centres, all while helping to build stronger, healthier, more vibrant communities.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
MHA for the District of Corner Brook

“Enhancing access to transportation on the Great Northern Peninsula is key to helping residents stay connected to services, programs, and their community. I am pleased to see the continued expansion of this transit program which has proven to be a useful resource for people throughout the region.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education
MHA for the District of St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows

“In addition to doubling the capacity of our buses in December, this is yet another exciting step forward in making our city more accessible and affordable for residents. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff who worked tirelessly with the Provincial Government to secure this vital funding. This initiative will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for many in our community and I look forward to what else we can achieve in improving transit in 2025.”
His Worship Jim Parsons
Mayor of Corner Brook

“SABRI Transit was created in June 2024 thanks to initial funding from Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northpine Foundation to establish rural Newfoundland and Labrador’s only fixed route public transit service. Our vision to provide an affordable and accessible transit service has experienced an increase in ridership from youth, newcomers, seniors, and the general public. Today’s announcement will improve the quality of life for a number of people in the region on income support, youth in care and seniors with a guaranteed income supplement as our transit service gives them independence and access to our communities’ offerings. We look forward to building upon our partnership between St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. (SABRI) and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to improve service delivery in our region.”
Wayne Noel, Chairperson
St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc.

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Learn more
Corner Brook Transit

SABRI Transit

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The following is a joint statement from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Innu Nation:

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Innu Nation today announced that retired Provincial Court Judge James Igloliorte is resuming his role as Chair of the Inquiry Panel for the Commission of Inquiry into the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System.

Commissioner Igloliorte rejoins Anastasia Qupee of Sheshatshiu, former Grand Chief of the Innu Nation, and Dr. Mike Devine, retired associate professor of the School of Social Work, Memorial University, who were appointed Commissioners of the Inquiry in June 2021.

A detailed biography of the Honourable James Igloliorte can be found in the backgrounder below.

The Commission of Inquiry was ordered as a Part II Inquiry under the Public Inquiries Act, 2006.

The Commission of Inquiry is guided by a shared commitment of the Innu Nation, the Mushuau Innu First Nation, the Sheshatshiu First Nation, and the Provincial Government to ensure the safety and well-being of, and to act in the best interests of, Innu children and youth. The Inquiry involves a range of processes, including reviewing relevant documents and records, considering the need for specialized research, and conducting community sessions and hearings.

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BACKGROUNDER

Biography for the Honourable James Igloliorte
James Igloliorte of Hopedale, Newfoundland and Labrador, is a retired Provincial Court Judge. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University in 1974. He and his wife, Linda Carter, then started their career as teachers on the west coast of Newfoundland at St. James School in Lark Harbour, Bay of Islands. Mr. Igloliorte has lived in Newfoundland and Labrador his whole life.

Appointed first as a Lay Magistrate in 1980, he took responsibility of the Labrador Court and Circuit System and then completed law school at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1985. He then returned to take up duties in Happy Valley-Goose Bay as a circuit judge, a position which he held for the majority of his career. James Igloliorte was a 1999 National Aboriginal Achievement Award recipient in the category of Law and Justice. He stepped down from the bench in 2004.

James Igloliorte is a past Labrador Director with the Innu Healing Foundation and was a commissioner with the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada. He has also worked as Newfoundland and Labrador’s Child and Youth Advocate and was Commissioner of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission in Nunavut. In 2003 he received an Honorary Doctorate from Memorial University, made all the more memorable because it was the same week in which singer-songwriter Ron Hynes was also recognized. He sat as a Director of the McLean Day School Settlement Corporation and acted as a Reconciliation Officer of the Sixties Scoop Settlement Agreement. In 2024, he was a named an Officer of the Order of Canada, presented by Mary Simon, Governor-General of Canada.

James Igloliorte was retained in 2020 to provide input on the nature, scope and mechanisms of the Inquiry into Ground Search and Rescue for Lost and Missing Persons in Newfoundland and Labrador.

James Igloliorte and his wife, Linda Carter, live in St. John’s and have four children and five grandchildren.

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The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has released Report A-2025-004 under authority of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015. A summary of the Report is included below.

To view the Report in its entirety, please go to www.oipc.nl.ca/reports/reports/.

Report: A-2025-004 Report Date: January 30, 2025 Public Body: Town of Gander Summary: The Complainant submitted multiple access to information requests to the Town of Gander for records related to the resignation of its Chief Administrative Officer. The Town responded to three of the access requests with records redacted pursuant to section 30(1)(a) (legal advice). The Complainant objected to the redactions and filed a complaint with this Office. During the investigation, the Town identified a further responsive record, which it asserted ought to be withheld pursuant to section 30 as well as sections 35 (disclosure harmful to the financial or economic interests of a public body), 40 (disclosure harmful to personal privacy), and the common law right of settlement privilege. The Commissioner determined that the Town could not rely on section 40(1) to withhold the entirety of the record, finding that some of the information should be disclosed in accordance with section 40(2)(f). Additionally, the Commissioner held that sections 30(1)(a) and 35(1)(g) did not apply. The Commissioner also determined that settlement privilege is not recognized as an exception to disclosure. The Commissioner recommended the Town release several portions of the record. The Commissioner also found that the Town had not conducted a reasonable search for responsive records.

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Media contact
Sean Murray
Director of Research & Quality Assurance
709-729-6309

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The Honourable Pam Parsons, Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality, is proclaiming February as Violence Prevention Month in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with its community partners, have been working together to improve services for victims of violence and strengthen violence prevention programs throughout the province.

Acknowledging Violence Prevention Month is crucial for raising awareness about the impact of violence in our communities. It also promotes policies and initiatives aimed at reducing violence in all forms, including intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, bullying and workplace harassment.

In December 2023, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that is seeing an investment of nearly $13.6 million over four years to support provincially tailored National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence initiatives.

This investment is contributing to the continued improvement of services for survivors, including expanded wrap-around supports, counselling services and crisis helplines, ensuring that impacted individuals have the resources and support needed to rebuild their lives.

Most recently, the Provincial Government announced the establishment of a multi-departmental, ministerial-level committee to end gender-based violence, chaired by the Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality.

This committee will ensure that survivors, marginalized groups, and local organizations are heard, by creating multiple avenues for community involvement in its work, including regular presentations, focus groups, and other consultation opportunities.

In addition, the Office of Women and Gender Equality provides over $400,000 in annual funding to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police-NL (RCMP) and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), to support their Intimate Partner Violence Units, and $225,000 to the Department of Health and Community Services for the provincial Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.

Over the next two years, the office will also fund a new civilian victim services navigator position at the RNC, to assist with their adoption of the national Violence Against Women Advocate Case Review model, and to provide support to victims of intimate partner violence.

In 2024-25, another $316,583 in funding was provided for 14 projects through the Provincial Government’s Indigenous Violence Prevention Grants Program, and $523,165 in funding for 14 projects through the Provincial Government’s new Community Violence Prevention Program.

Quote
“Violence prevention is not just about avoiding harm, it’s about building communities that are rooted in respect, empathy and safety for all. Violence is not a private matter, it is a public matter, and we should all be empowered to make a difference.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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Learn more
Office of Women and Gender Equality

National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence

Provincial Government Taking Action to End Gender-based Violence

Funding Awarded for 14 Community Violence Prevention Initiatives

Funding Awarded for 14 Indigenous Violence Prevention Initiatives

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Following successful advocacy and collaboration, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has reached an agreement with the Government of Canada to restore 1,000 economic immigration spaces for 2025. The total economic immigration spaces for Newfoundland and Labrador this year is now 2,525.

Earlier this month, the Government of Canada announced a 50 per cent reduction in the province’s allocation spaces under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program as part of a national reduction in regional economic immigration programs. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador immediately challenged these cuts based on its unique demographics, low temporary resident population and flexibility to recruit internationally.

The new agreement involves:

• Increasing Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program capacity (1,050) by an additional 1,000 spaces, bringing the 2025 allocation to 2,050 spaces (compared to 2,100 in 2024).
• Maintaining Atlantic Immigration Program capacity at 475 spaces.
• Welcoming 290 humanitarian migrants to Newfoundland and Labrador over the next two years.
• The Federal Government paying for the relocation of humanitarian migrants and upfront costs related to housing and wrap-around supports.

The Provincial Government welcomes this decision which will help fill crucial roles in sectors experiencing labour shortages, such as health care, early childhood education and construction. While this new agreement is an improvement, the Provincial Government continues to advocate for further increases to its economic immigration spaces to support local businesses and sustained population growth.

To incorporate recent immigration changes into an approach that will maximize immigration capacity, the Provincial Government is temporarily pausing intake of new economic immigration applications and job vacancy assessments until mid-February. The 25-day service standard for Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program will also be temporarily suspended. This will allow for the development of tools that will make it easier for employers to find suitable candidates and streamline immigration processing. Files for health care workers, and other in-demand occupations, will continue to be processed on a case-by-case basis.

Opportunities remain available for employers to hire humanitarian migrants to help meet their workforce needs. To date, more than 100 individuals with skills ranging from health care, early childhood education, construction, business administration, retail sales and food service have expressed an interest in relocating to the Newfoundland and Labrador. Employers interested in learning about opportunities to hire humanitarian migrants can contact the department at HumanitarianPath@gov.nl.ca.

The Provincial Government remains available to help individuals navigating Federal Government immigration programs. Individuals seeking immigration navigation support are encouraged to contact immigration@gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador is the first province to have successfully negotiated the reinstatement of economic immigration spaces. While we continue to call for more immigration capacity to meet our goals, we thank the Federal Government for this move and look forward to continuing our robust immigration efforts.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“This decision is good news for Newfoundland and Labrador. It increases our ability to ensure people get the services they need in sectors like health care and education. I wish to thank all the business owners and groups who joined the chorus to advocate for the Federal Government to reverse this decision. We hear you, and we will be making additional changes to make it easier and more efficient for you to use economic immigration in the weeks ahead.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will participate in the announcement of a major sporting event on Monday, February 3, 2025.

The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Montana’s BBQ and Bar, 80 Kenmount Road, St. John’s.

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The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following relative to Environmental Assessment – Part 10 – of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:
Crown Zone 1 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan Amendment District 1 (2022-2026)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture   (Reg. 2340)
The project has been released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the minister’s decision letter available on the Department of Environment and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2340/.

Garia River Crossing                                                                                (Reg. 2342)
Proponent: AuMEGA Metals Ltd.
The project has been released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the minister’s decision letter available on the Department of Environment and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/projects-2342/.

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Learn more
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL   A1B 4J6

Environmental assessment information is available at:

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_Jan-2024.pdf

Follow us on X @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

Project comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

Anyone submitting comments on a project under environmental assessment should notify the Department of Environment and Climate Change if they DO NOT wish to have their comments shared with the project proponent.

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The Provincial Government is today highlighting the ongoing collaboration with industry, community, and labour organizations and how it is informing a strategic approach to Canada-United States trade relations, as well as new market development opportunities. It is also introducing a new brand to help build awareness of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canadian products on the local and global stage.

While the Government of Canada is the lead on country-to-country negotiations, the Provincial Government is working as part of Team Canada to defend Canada’s interests as an independent, sovereign country. To date, Premier Furey has led six roundtable discussions in response to President Trumps’ proposed tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States. These meetings are helping identify key points for discussion on the national and international stage and creating local awareness of the risks of the proposed tariffs.

A key message from the discussions is encouraging residents to support local businesses as buying local keeps money and jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador. There are substitutes for American products and residents should:

• Look to see if a product is made in Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Buy a product at a retailer in your community or neighbourhood either in-person or through their websites.

In 2023, Newfoundland and Labrador exported approximately $4.5 billion of goods to the United States, which represented 37 per cent of the province’s total exports. Of the seafood harvested in Newfoundland and Labrador, 60-80 per cent is exported to the United States. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there are between 10,000-20,000 jobs at risk if President Trump follows through on his talk of tariffs.

The backgrounder below provides some information on tariffs, as well as groups included in the roundtable discussions.

Quote

“I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that has taken place today and I am grateful that we are unified in our commitment to protect our future by supporting local communities and industries here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Making the conscience choice to support local retailers and to purchase locally produced products will have a tremendous positive impact as we tackle the challenges presented by potential U.S. tariffs. We will stand together as a province and nation in our resolve to safeguard our economy and the livelihood of all citizens.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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BACKGROUNDER

What are tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes that governments impose on goods coming from another country.

Like a sales tax, tariffs are paid on imported items and can affect both the cost of goods you import and the price competitiveness of your exports. Unlike import duties determined by the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, tariffs aren’t based on specific product factors, like country of origin, product purpose, weight or value. They are often used to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.

Why should I care?
You should be very concerned. It is fair to anticipate that President Trump’s tariffs will impact the entire Canadian and local economies.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, people working in manufacturing, fisheries, oil and gas, and mining will bear the direct brunt of President Trump’s tariffs. However, if you work in a restaurant, retail operation, in tourism, or other service industries, you can also expect higher costs and a considerable reduction in spending, which will lead to job losses.

Why support local?
Supporting local businesses keeps your money and jobs in the province.

Whether you are in Buchans, Springdale, or Cartwright, small businesses are at the heart of a community. They deliver services, employ residents, sponsor teams, and are a source of pride in communities.

Canada’s businesses and industries are under attack by President Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs. They will put the viability of businesses, and between 10,000-20,000 jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador, at risk.

About 98 per cent of all businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador are a small business, employing more than 15,000 people.

Confirmed Attendees

Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador

Siobhan Coady, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Newfoundland and Labrador

Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, Newfoundland and Labrador

Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Newfoundland and Labrador

Kieran Hanley, CEO, EcoNext

Alex Templeton, Board Chair, EcoNext

Florian Villaumé, CEO, TechNL

David Haire, DVP NL, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters

Mark Gillingham, NL Board Chair, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters

Carolyn Wakeham, CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs

Jessica McCormick, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour

Keith Dunne, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour

Amanda McCallum, Executive Director, Mining Industry NL

Rhonda Neary, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association

Derek Brown, Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association

Cory Pittman, Trade Contractors Section Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association

Bob Fiander, Incoming Executive Director, Trades NL

Corey Parsons, Interim Executive Director, Trades NL

Rob Nolan, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador

Alexis Foster, CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Home Builders’ Association

Marian Templeton, CEO, Automobile Dealers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

Debby Yannakidis, President, Automobile Dealers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

Shelly Petten, Executive Director, Oceans Advance

Renae Butler, Manager of Collective Bargaining, Association of Seafood Producers

Paul Grant, Board Chair, Association of Seafood Producers

Kim Quinlan, Association of Seafood Producers

Jennifer Murray, Atlantic Regional Director, Unifor

Sharon Walsh, National Representative, Unifor

Dwan Street, President, Fish, Food and Allied Workers

Keith Sullivan, Executive Director, Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association

AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO, St. John’s Board of Trade

Tom Osborne, General Manager, Dairy Farmers of NL

Charlene Johnson, CEO, Energy NL

Ken Morrissey, Chief Strategy and  Communication Officer, Energy NL

Rhonda Tulk-Lane, CEO, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce

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The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, will hold a media availability tomorrow (Friday, January 31) to give an update on the Federal Government’s 2025 economic immigration spaces allocation for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The availability will take place at 10:00 a.m. in the West Block lobby, Confederation Building.

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The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will speak at the Great Northern Chamber of Commerce Meeting tomorrow (Friday, January 31). While speaking at the chamber event, Premier Furey will be making an announcement related to the Bus Pass Pilot Program.

Premier Furey will be joined by the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education and MHA for the District of St. Barbe-L’Anse aux Meadows.

The event will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #17, 37 East Street, St. Anthony at 1:45 p.m.

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The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture and MHA for the District of Corner Brook will make a funding announcement for the Bus Pass Pilot Program in Corner Brook tomorrow (Friday, January 31). Minister Byrne will be joined by His Worship Jim Parsons, Mayor of Corner Brook.

The event will take place at City Hall in Corner Brook located at 5 Park Street, starting at 11:00 a.m.

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The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, today announced that the Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program has been activated to assist those impacted by the storm surge that occurred between January 4 to 6, 2025. The disaster assistance area extends from the Southern Shore on the east coast, to Gander Bay on the northeast coast.

Individual homeowners, tenants, small business owners, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and local service districts are advised that applications for the Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program are available here.

Compensation for damages caused by the storm surge associated with the January 4 to 6, 2025 weather event is based on criteria established by both the federal and provincial disaster financial assistance programs. For detailed information on the Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program:

• Online here
• Call 1-888-395-5611
• Email NL-DFAP@gov.nl.ca

The deadline to submit a claim is Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program is not an insurance program. Residents are encouraged to contact their insurance companies first as compensation is not paid on items that are insurable. The program compensates only for items that are deemed essential.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will work with the Federal Government to recover eligible expenses associated with damages, and to maximize benefits that are applicable for coverage under the federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement Program.

Quote

“The storm surge weather event that occurred from January 4 to January 6 caused significant damage to homes, small businesses, community infrastructure and non-profit organizations. We recognize the impact of these losses, and our government is helping to recover by activating the Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program, allowing residents to have peace of mind as they go through the recovery process.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Justice and Public Safety

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Today the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education announced $260,500 to the Momma Moments program at Choices for Youth. Minister Howell made the announcement at Choices for Youth’s Outreach and Youth Engagement Centre, and was joined by Jen Crowe, Executive Director at Choices for Youth.

The Provincial Government is allocating one-time funding of $260,500 to the Momma Moments program, which provides peer-to-peer and wrap-around supports to young moms and their children. As Canada’s first well-being province, this funding will support the organization with operational costs for programming, including programming materials and staffing resources.

Last year, Momma Moments and family programming at Choices for Youth provided support to 122 moms and 126 children, respectively. The program meets young mothers where they are, supporting their well-being by providing them with a continuum of care and helping them access pre-natal and post-natal health services for mom and child. Additional programming is provided to foster a positive support network and reduce social isolation. Programs like these, that focus on supporting parents and creating an inclusive community, help children have the best possible start in early life, setting them up for life-long success and well-being.

The Provincial Government has allocated more than $4.6 million to Choices for Youth for the 2024-25 fiscal year across a variety of departments. The Department of Education’s Early Learning, Inclusion and Child Development branch facilitates the growth and stability of programs that foster healthy child development. Parents are a child’s first teacher and they play an important role in their child’s learning and development.

Quotes
“Our government is pleased to provide $260,500 to Momma Moments, which provides mental, physical, and social supports for both moms and children in the program. Early years are foundational to a child’s positive growth and success. By supporting the early years of children, we are supporting the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

“The Momma Moments program breaks the cycle of poverty and homelessness for over 120 young mothers and their children annually while helping young moms achieve their goals of education and employment. Through connection to housing, primary care, mental health supports, and other wrap-around services, this program had proven outcomes of increasing high school graduation rates, decreasing emergency healthcare utilization, and improving housing stability. We are incredibly grateful for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment in this impactful and innovative program which is transforming the lives of hundreds of children and youth every year.”
Jen Crowe, Executive Director
Choices for Youth

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Learn more
Early Childhood Learning – Your Developing Child

Choices for Youth’s Momma Moments Program

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The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador encourages individuals with international or out-of-province credentials who are not working in their field to contact the Fair Registration Practices Office for licensure or registration assistance.

The Fair Registration Practices Office helps ensure skilled newcomers receive a transparent, timely, and fair assessment by the relevant regulatory body for their chosen profession. Assistance can include:

• Providing guidance on the provincial licensure process.
• Identifying funding opportunities that may be available.
• Developing pathways to employment.

To find out if an occupation is regulated in Newfoundland and Labrador, individuals are encouraged to use the Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada Tool. Regulatory bodies ensure applicants meet provincial licensure standards for safe and competent practice.

To contact the Fair Registration Practices Office for assistance please email FairRegistration@gov.nl.ca.

Supporting skilled newcomers to work in their chosen field and reach their economic potential is an ongoing priority for the Provincial Government. Since 2021, the Provincial Government has funded regulatory bodies and community-based organizations to improve credential recognition processes and outcomes for skilled newcomers.

Additionally, a significant number of actions have been taken in recent years to make it easier for health care professionals to obtain licensure in the province. To view these actions, please see the backgrounder.

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BACKGROUNDER

Efforts to Make it Easier for Health Care Professionals to Relocate to the Province

• Creation of a health professional navigator position within the Department of Health and Community Services to assist health professionals working towards obtaining licensure in the province.
• Changes to the Registered Nurses Regulations in 2023 which streamlines the registration and licensing processes for registered nurses (RN), making it easier for nurses educated outside of the province, including internationally educated nurses (IENs), to work in the province.
• Creation of a designated countries pathway for internationally educated nurses who were educated and are currently licensed in good standing in approved countries to apply for expedited registration with the College of Registered Nurses Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Implementation of the supervised practice experience practice program for RNs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
• Amendments to the Medical Act, 2011 which introduced two new license types (associate and clinical assistant) and created a pathway for physicians trained in approved countries by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPSNL) to gain licensure without writing the national exams.
• Implementation of a new fast-track application process by CPSNL for those who hold a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another Canadian province or territory.
• Implementation of a Ukrainian physician licensure support program to assist displaced Ukrainian physicians in obtaining licensure to practice medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Implementation of an incentive to assist with cost of completing the Nursing Community Assessment Service (NCAS) for internationally educated nurses who wish to become LPN or RN.
• Implementation of a bridging program through the Centre for Nursing Studies and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services for enrolled assistant nurses in Jamaica to complete bridging to become LPNs in the province.

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The Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Minister of Housing, will participate in a proclamation signing to recognize Eating Disorder Awareness Week.

The event, hosted by the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, will take place tomorrow (Friday, January 31) at 9:30 a.m. in the main lobby of the Confederation Building, East Block.

Visitors and media wishing to attend can access the building through the main entrance of East Block. Attendees who require an accessible entrance can use the blue zone parking behind East Block and enter through the Public Gallery Entrance.

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Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-26 Active NL Fund. Funding is available to support community-based active living initiatives, infrastructure or equipment that will help directly increase physical activity, sport, and active recreation for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Not-for-profit community-based groups and organizations, municipalities, Indigenous Governments, Local Service Districts and schools are eligible for funding. Applications will be accepted up to and including March 31, 2025.

An additional $400,000 was allocated to this program through Budget 2024 and Year of Sport, bringing the total funding available to $2,990,000.

Those interested in applying for Active NL funding are encouraged to carefully review the program guidelines to determine eligibility of applicants, infrastructure projects, equipment and initiatives.

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The Honourable, Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, will make an announcement today to support programming at Choices for Youth.

The announcement takes place at Choices for Youth’s Outreach and Youth Engagement Centre, 12-16 Carter’s Hill Place, St. John’s, at 2:00 p.m. Guests can enter using the lower entrance, as outreach programming will be underway using the upper entrance off the back parking lot.

Minister Howell will be joined by Jen Crowe, executive director of Choices for Youth.

Media are asked to RSVP their attendance to Lynn Robinson at lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca.

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